Busway Systems and Related Assemblies and Methods

ABSTRACT

A busway assembly includes first and second busway sections and a joint assembly connecting the first and second sections. Each busway section includes a housing including first and second opposing side portions. Each busway section includes a first insulator held in the first side portion and a second insulator held in the second side portion. The first and second insulators each hold one or more bus bar conductors. The joint assembly includes first and second connected joint housings and plurality of joint conductors held in the first and second housings. A first exposed portion of each joint conductor extends out of the first housing and is electrically connected with one of the bus bar conductors of the first busway section. A second exposed portion of each joint conductor extends out of the second housing and is electrically connected with one of the bus bar conductors of the second busway section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/688,307 filed on Apr. 16, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Busway systems typically include several elongated busway sections withbusway joints between adjacent busway sections. The busway joint servesto electrically and mechanically connect the adjacent busway sections.Continuous plug-in busway systems allow for plug-in devices (e.g.,outlet boxes) to be installed anywhere or substantially anywhere alongthe length of the busway sections.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a busway assembly. Thebusway assembly includes first and second busway sections and a jointassembly between and connecting the first and second busway sections.Each busway section includes a housing. The housing has a length andincludes first and second opposing side portions. Each busway sectionincludes a first insulator held in the first side portion of the housingand a second insulator held in the second side portion of the housing.Each of the first and second insulators have a length that issubstantially the same as the length of the housing. Each of the firstand second insulators hold one or more bus bar conductors. The jointassembly includes first and second connected joint housings andplurality of joint conductors held in the first and second jointhousings. A first exposed portion of each joint conductor extends out ofthe first joint housing and is electrically connected with one of thebus bar conductors of the first busway section. A second exposed portionof each joint conductor extends out of the second joint housing and iselectrically connected with one of the bus bar conductors of the secondbusway section.

In some embodiments, the first and second joint housings each include abase and a plurality of elongated conductor holding members extendingaway from the base, with each conductor holding member defining achannel. The first and second joint housings are connected at theirrespective bases with the channels of the first joint housing alignedwith the channels of the second joint housing and with each jointconductor held in a respective pair of aligned channels of the first andsecond joint housings.

Each conductor holding member may include a slot at a distal end portionthereof, with the exposed portions of the joint conductor extendingthrough the slots. The bus bar conductors may be held in spaced apartchannels defined in the first and second busway section insulators withan opening extending along each channel. The exposed portions of thejoint conductors may be received in the openings to electrically connectwith the bus bar conductors.

In some embodiments, the first and second joint housings each include aplurality of block members extending away from the base, with one eachpositioned adjacent at least some of the conductor holding members. Arespective bus bar conductor may have a length that is shorter than alength of the channel in which the bus bar conductor is held such that agap is defined in the channel between an end of the bus bar conductorand an end of the channel. A respective block member of the first jointhousing may be received in the gap of one of the channels of the firstbusway section insulators such that an end of the block member isadjacent and/or abuts an end of the bus bar conductor held in thechannel. A respective block member of the second joint housing may bereceived in the gap of one of the channels of the second busway sectioninsulators such that an end of the block member is adjacent and/or abutsan end of the bus bar conductor held in the channel. A respective blockmember may be adjacent and extend along a portion of one of the jointconductors.

The busway assembly may further include a joint cover over the jointassembly, with the joint cover being slidable axially along the firstand second busway section housings. The busway section housings mayinclude channels at the first and second side portions thereof, and thejoint cover may include rail members that are slidably received in thechannels.

Some other embodiments of the invention are directed to a methodincluding providing a first busway section and a joint assembly. Thefirst busway section includes a busway section housing having a length,with the housing including first and second opposing side portions. Afirst insulator is held in the first side portion of the housing, withthe first insulator having a length that is substantially the same asthe length of the housing, and with the first insulator holding one ormore bus bar conductors. A second insulator is held in the second sideportion of the housing, with the second insulator having a length thatis substantially the same as the length of the housing, and with thesecond insulator holding one or more bus bar conductors. The jointassembly includes first and second connected joint housings and aplurality of joint conductors held in the first and second jointhousings. Each joint conductor has a first exposed portion extendingfrom the first joint housing and a second exposed portion extending fromthe second joint housing. The method includes joining the first buswaysection and the joint assembly such that the first exposed portion ofeach joint conductor is electrically connected with one of the bus barconductors of the first busway section.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second joint housingsincludes a base and a plurality of elongated conductor holding membersextending away from the base, with each joint conductor held in alignedconductor holding members of the first and second housings and havingthe first exposed portion at a distal end of the conductor holdingmember of the first housing and the second exposed portion at a distalend portion of the conductor holding member of the second housing. Thebus bar conductors may be held in spaced apart channels defined in thefirst and second busway section insulators with an opening extendingalong each channel. Joining the first busway section and the jointassembly may include receiving the first exposed portions of the jointconductors in the openings of the first busway section insulators toelectrically connect with the first busway section bus bar conductors.

The first and second joint housings may each include a plurality ofblock members extending away from the base, with one each positionedadjacent at least some of the conductor holding members. Joining thefirst busway section and the joint assembly may include slidinglyreceiving the block members of the first joint housing in the channelsof the first busway section insulators such that an end of a respectiveblock member is adjacent and/or abuts an end of one of the conductorsheld in one of the channels.

In some embodiments, the method includes providing a second buswaysection. The second busway section includes a busway section housinghaving a length, with the housing including first and second opposingside portions. A first insulator is held in the first side portion ofthe housing, with the first insulator having a length that issubstantially the same as the length of the housing, and with the firstinsulator holding one or more bus bar conductors. A second insulator isheld in the second side portion of the housing, with the secondinsulator having a length that is substantially the same as the lengthof the housing, and with the second insulator holding one or more busbar conductors. The method includes joining the second busway sectionand the joint assembly such that the second exposed portion of eachjoint conductor is electrically connected with one of the bus barconductors of the second busway section.

Joining the second busway section and the joint assembly may includereceiving the second exposed portions of the joint conductors in theopenings of the second busway section insulators to electrically connectwith the bus bar conductors of the second busway section. Joining thesecond busway section and the joint assembly may include slidinglyreceiving the block members of the second joint housing in the channelsof the second busway section insulators such that an end of a respectiveblock member is adjacent and/or abuts an end of one of the conductorsheld in one of the channels.

In some embodiments, the method includes, before joining the secondbusway section and the joint assembly, slidably receiving a joint coveron the first busway section housing. In some embodiments, the methodincludes, after joining the second busway section and the jointassembly, sliding and tightening the joint cover over the jointassembly.

Some other embodiments of the invention are directed to a buswaysection. The busway section includes a housing having a length andincluding first and second opposing side portions. The busway sectionincludes a first insulator configured to be slidingly received in thefirst side portion of the housing and a second insulator configured tobe slidingly received in the second side portion of the housing. Each ofthe first and second insulators has a length that is substantially thesame as the length of the housing. Each of the first and secondinsulators includes a plurality of spaced apart channels extendinglengthwise in the insulator, with each channel configured to receive abus bar conductor. The housing further includes a plurality of insulatoralignment and engagement features configured to align and guide thefirst and second insulators as they are slidingly received in thehousing and to hold the first and second insulators in place after theyare slidingly received in the housing.

In some embodiments, the insulator alignment and engagement featuresinclude a first upper standoff track extending downwardly and inwardlyfrom the first side portion of the housing and a first lower standofftrack extending upwardly and inwardly from the first side portion of thehousing. The first upper standoff track is configured to engage an upperportion of the first insulator, and the first lower standoff track isconfigured to engage a lower portion of first insulator. The insulatoralignment and engagement features include a second upper standoff trackextending downwardly and inwardly from the second side portion of thehousing and a second lower standoff track extending upwardly andinwardly from the second side portion of the housing. The second upperstandoff track is configured to engage an upper portion of the secondinsulator, and the second lower standoff track is configured to engage alower portion of second insulator.

In some embodiments, the insulator alignment and engagement featuresinclude first inner wall member extending inwardly at the first sideportion of the housing and a second inner wall member extending inwardlyat the second side portion of the housing. The first inner wall memberis positioned to be adjacent to and/or abut a central portion of thefirst insulator. The second inner wall member is positioned to beadjacent to and/or abut a central portion of the second insulator. Oneor more gaps may be defined between the first inner wall member and thefirst insulator and/or one or more gaps may be defined between thesecond inner wall member and the second insulator.

The insulator alignment and engagement features may include first andsecond upper leg members. The first upper leg member may extend upwardlyfrom the first inner wall member and may be configured to be received ina groove in an upper portion of the first insulator. The second upperleg member may extend upwardly from the second inner wall member and maybe configured to be received in a groove in an upper portion of thesecond insulator.

The insulator alignment and engagement features may include first andsecond lower leg members. The first lower leg member may extenddownwardly from the first inner wall member and may be configured to bereceived in a groove in a lower portion of the first insulator. Thesecond lower leg member may extend downwardly from the second inner wallmember and may be configured to be received in a groove in a lowerportion of the second insulator.

The insulator alignment and engagement features may include a firstupper wall portion above and offset from the first inner wall member anda second upper wall portion above and offset from the second inner wallmember. An upper ledge of the first insulator may be received above thefirst inner wall member and adjacent the first upper wall portion. Anupper ledge of the second insulator may be received above the secondinner wall member and adjacent the second upper wall portion.

The insulator alignment and engagement features may include a firstlower wall portion below and offset from the first inner wall member anda second lower wall portion below and offset from the second inner wallmember. A lower ledge of the first insulator may be received below thefirst inner wall member and adjacent the first lower wall portion. Alower ledge of the second insulator may be received below the secondinner wall member and adjacent the second lower wall portion.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second side portions of thehousing includes a joint cover engagement feature configured to slidablyengage a joint cover. The joint cover engagement feature may include afirst channel at the first side portion of the housing and a secondchannel at the second side portion of the housing. The first and secondchannels may be configured to slidingly receive a joint cover.

In some embodiments, the housing further includes a first lower ledgeextending inwardly from a lower portion of the first side portion of thehousing and a second lower ledge extending inwardly from a lower portionof the second side portion of the housing. The insulator alignment andengagement features may include a first lower lip that extends upwardlyfrom a distal edge of the first lower ledge and a second lower lip thatextends upwardly from a distal edge of the second lower ledge. The firstlower lip may be configured to be received in a slot in a lower portionof the first insulator and the second lower lip may be configured to bereceived in a slot in a lower portion of the second insulator.

The housing may include a first lower flange extending downwardly fromthe first lower ledge and a second lower flange extending downwardlyfrom the second lower ledge. The busway section may include first andsecond lip seal members formed of an electrically insulative material.The first lip seal member may be configured to be received around thefirst lower flange and the second lip seal member may be configured tobe received around the second lower flange.

In some embodiments, one of the first and second insulators comprises anenlarged channel configured to receive an enlarged neutral conductor.

Some other embodiments of the invention are directed to a joint assemblyfor use with a busway system. The joint assembly includes first andsecond insulator housings and a plurality of conductors held in alignedchannels of the first and second insulator housings, The first andsecond insulator housings each include a base and a plurality ofelongated conductor holding members extending away from the base. Thefirst and second housings are coupled to one another at their respectivebases with the channels of the first insulator housing aligned with thechannels of the second insulator housing. The joint assembly includes atleast one securing feature associated with first insulator housingand/or the second insulator housing such that the first and secondinsulators housings are secured to one another with one or moreinterference fits.

In some embodiments, the securing feature includes the channels that aresized and configured such that the conductors are held therein with aninterference fit. The conductors and the channels may be generallyT-shaped.

The securing feature may include a flange at the base of one of thefirst and second insulator housings that is sized and configured toreceive the base of the other one of the first and second housings. Thesecuring feature may include at least one receptacle on the base of oneof the first and second insulator housings that is sized and configuredto receive at least one plug member on the base of the other one of thefirst and second housings.

Some other embodiments of the invention are directed to a jointassembly. The joint assembly includes a first insulator housingincluding a base and a plurality conductor holding members extendingaway from the base, with each conductor holding member defining achannel and including an open slot at an end portion thereof. The jointassembly includes a second insulator housing including a base and aplurality conductor holding members extending away from the base, witheach conductor holding member defining a channel and including an openslot at an end portion thereof. The joint assembly includes a pluralityof conductors. The channels of the first and second housings are sizedand configured to receive and hold the conductors. The first and secondhousings are configured to couple at their respective bases such that arespective conductor is substantially enclosed in aligned conductorholding members of the first and second housings and portions of theconductor are exposed through the slots of the aligned conductor holdingmembers.

Some other embodiments of the invention are directed to a buswayassembly kit including a busway section and a joint assembly. The buswaysection comprises a housing having a length and including first andsecond opposing side portions. The busway section includes a firstinsulator in the first side portion of the housing and a secondinsulator in the second side portion of the housing. Each of the firstand second insulators has a length that is substantially the same as thelength of the housing. Each of the first and second insulators includesa plurality of channels extending lengthwise along the insulator, withthe insulator defining a plurality of lengthwise openings, one openingfor each channel. The joint assembly includes first and second insulatorhousings and a plurality of conductors held in aligned channels of thefirst and second housings. The first and second housings each include abase and a plurality of conductor holding members extending outwardlyfrom the base. The conductor holding members each define a channel. Thefirst and second insulator housings are coupled at their respectivebases such that the channels of the first insulator housing are alignedwith the channels of the second insulator housing. Each conductorincludes a first exposed portion that extends through a slot in thefirst insulator housing and a second exposed portion that extendsthrough a slot in the second insulator housing. The joint assembly isconfigured to be coupled to the busway section with either the firstexposed portions or the second exposed portions of the conductorsreceived in at least some of the openings of the first and secondinsulators. The slots may be tapered such that the conductor holdingmembers narrow as they extend away from the base of the first and secondinsulator housings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a busway system according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a busway section according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing of the busway section of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the housing of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulator of the busway section ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the insulator of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing holding two insulators of thebusway section of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the housing holding the two insulators of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the busway section of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the busway section of FIG. 2 with an enlargedneutral bus bar.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a joint assembly according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a partially assembled perspective view of the joint assemblyof FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partially assembled opposite perspective view of the jointassembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an assembled perspective view of the joint assembly of FIG.11.

FIG. 15 is a partially assembled perspective view of the busway systemof FIG. 1 including first and second assembled busway sections, anassembled joint assembly and a joint cover.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the joint assembly connectedwith the first busway section of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the joint cover engaged withthe first busway section of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is an assembled perspective view of the busway system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is an assembled partial cutaway perspective view of the buswaysystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is an end view of a busway section housing holding twoinsulators according to some other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relativesizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Thisinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupledor connected to the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlycoupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”,“lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompassboth an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwiseoriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatiallyrelative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail forbrevity and/or clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“includes,” “comprising,” and/or “including,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It is noted that any one or more aspects or features described withrespect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodimentalthough not specifically described relative thereto. That is, allembodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any wayand/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change anyoriginally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including theright to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend fromand/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although notoriginally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/oraspects of the present invention are explained in detail in thespecification set forth below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

A busway or bus duct system assembly 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Thebusway assembly 10 includes first and second busway or bus duct sections12, 14. A joint assembly 16 is disposed between the first and secondbusway sections 12, 14. The busway assembly 10 typically forms a portionof a larger busway system or busway run, and one or more additionalbusway sections, joint assemblies and/or other components may beincluded in the larger busway system.

The busway section 12 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The busway section 14has substantially the same structure as the busway section 12;accordingly, in the interest of brevity, only the busway section 12 willbe described in detail below.

The busway section 12 includes a housing 18. The housing 18 may beformed of aluminum, for example. Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 18 iselongated and defines a longitudinal axis A1. The housing 18 has alength L1. The length L1 may be between about 0.5 to 10 feet in variousembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 18 has a top or upper portion 20and first and second opposing side portions 22, 24. A lower ledge 26extends inwardly from each of the side portions 22, 24 and extends thelength L1 of the housing 18. An upwardly extending lip 28 is at a distaledge of each ledge 26. The lips 28 may also be referred to as insulatoralignment and/or engagement features.

The housing side portions 22, 24 each include a channel 32. The channel32 is defined by an inner wall 34 and upper and lower opposite outerwalls 36, 38. The inner walls 34 and the outer walls 36, 38 may also bereferred to as insulator alignment and/or engagement features. Anopening 40 to the channel 32 is defined between the upper and lowerouter walls 36, 38. The channel 32 is sized and configured to slidablyreceive a joint cover assembly, as will be described in more detailbelow.

Extending from each of the housing inner walls 34 is a top or upper legmember 35 and a bottom or lower leg member 37. The upper and lower legs35, 37 extend the length L1 of the housing 18 (FIG. 3). Each inner wall34 and its corresponding upper and lower legs 35, 37 may collectively bereferred to as an inner wall member of the housing.

The housing top portion 20 includes a pair of upper flanges 42 (e.g.,generally L-shaped opposed flanges) that extend from a top or upper wall21. The flanges 42 may be used for mounting or suspending the buswaysection 12. A lower flange 44 (e.g., a generally L-shaped flange)extends downwardly from each one of the ledges 26. The flanges 44 may beshaped and configured to receive finger safe seals as well as accessbarriers, as will be described in more detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the busway section 12 includes first andsecond insulators 52, 54. The first and second insulators 52, 54 arereceived in the housing 18 at the first and second side portions 22, 24,respectively (FIGS. 3 and 4). The insulators 52, 54 are continuous andhave the same length or about the same length as the length L1 of thehousing (FIG. 3).

A perspective view of the insulator 52 is shown in FIG. 5 and an endview of the insulator 52 is shown in FIG. 6. When viewed from the end,the insulator 54 is a mirror image of the insulator 52. Accordingly, inthe interest of brevity, only the insulator 52 will be described indetail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the insulator 52 includes a top or upperportion 56, a central or middle portion 58 and a bottom or lower portion60. The upper portion 56 includes an upper housing alignment and/orengagement feature, shown as an upper ledge 62 with a lip or projection63 extending downwardly from the ledge 62. An upper outer groove or slot65 is defined between the lip 63 and an outer surface 57 of theinsulator upper portion 56. The upper portion 56 includes an uppersurface 66. The upper portion 56 also includes an upper channel 68 thatis sized and configured to receive and hold a conductor or bus bar.Inwardly extending projections 70, 72 define an opening 74 to thechannel 68.

The central portion 58 of the insulator 52 includes an outer surface 76.Like the upper portion 56 of the insulator 52, the central portion 58includes a channel 78 that is sized and configured to receive and hold aconductor or bus bar. Projections 80, 82 define an opening 84 to thechannel 78.

Similarly, the lower portion 60 of the insulator 52 includes a channel88 sized and configured to receive and hold a conductor or a bus bar.The channel 88 may be shaped and/or sized differently than the channel68 and/or the channel 78. Projections 90, 92 define an opening 94 to thechannel 88. The lower portion 60 also includes a lower housing alignmentand/or engagement feature, shown as a lower ledge 96 with a lip orprojection 97 extending upwardly from the ledge 96. A lower outer grooveor slot 105 is defined between the lip 97 and an outer surface 61 of theinsulator lower portion 60. The lower portion 60 further includes alower surface 100. The projection 92 has a lip 102, and a lower innergroove or slot 104 is defined between the lower surface 100 and the lip102.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the insulators 52, 54installed in the housing 18. Specifically, the insulator 52 is installedat the side portion 22 of the housing 18 and the insulator 54 isinstalled at the opposite side portion 24 of the housing 18. Theinsulators 52, 54 extend continuously along the housing 18 (i.e., alongthe entire length L1 or substantially the entire length L1 of thehousing 18). In some embodiments, the insulators 52, 54 are slidinglyreceived in the housing 18 in the position shown in FIG. 7. Theinsulators 52, 54 may be slidingly received in the housing 18 in adirection that is parallel or generally parallel to the housinglongitudinal axis A1 (FIG. 3).

Turning to FIG. 8, the housing 18 and the insulators 52, 54 are shapedand configured and have features such that the insulators 52, 54 can bealigned with the housing 18, guided into the housing 18 and held inplace (e.g., securely held in place) in the housing 18. The upper legs35 of the housing 18 are received in the upper outer grooves 65 ofinsulators 52, 54. The lower legs 37 of the housing 18 are received inthe lower outer grooves 105 of the insulators 52, 54. The housing lips28 are received in the lower inner insulator grooves or slots 104.

In position, the insulators 52, 54 are securely held in the housing 18.The insulators 52, 54 may be held in the housing 18 with an interferencefit. Various portions of the insulators 52, 54 may be adjacent and/orabut the housing 18. As shown in FIG. 8, the insulator upper surfaces 66are adjacent and/or abut the housing upper wall 21. The insulator upperledges 62 are adjacent and/or abut the housing upper outer walls 36. Theinsulator lower ledges 96 are adjacent and/or abut the housing lowerouter walls 38. The insulator central portion outer surfaces 76 areadjacent and/or abut the housing inner walls 34. The insulator lowersurfaces 100 are adjacent and/or abut the housing lower ledges 26.

The shape of the housing 18 and the insulators 52, 54 facilitate arelatively lightweight and mechanically secure busway section design.Also, as can be seen in FIG. 8, a plurality of air gaps are definedbetween the housing 18 and the insulators 52, 54. These air gaps mayprovide a cooling path for increased efficiency.

The insulators 52, 54 may be formed of any suitable electricallyinsulative material. According to some embodiments, the insulators 52,54 are formed of a polycarbonate or a thermoplastic polycarbonate. Theinsulators 52, 54 may be formed of Lexan™ available from SABIC (e.g.,Lexan 935A).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the busway section 12 includes a plurality ofconductors or bus bars 110, 112, 114, 116, 118. The conductors or busbars 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 may be formed of any suitable electricallyconductive material; an exemplary suitable material is copper.

Turning to FIG. 9, the conductors or bus bars are received in channelsdefined in the insulators 52, 54. The conductors 110, 112 and 114 arereceived in the channels 68, 78 and 88 of the insulator 52,respectively. The conductors 116 and 118 are received in the channels 68and 78 of the insulator 54, respectively. In some embodiments, one ofthe conductors 114 is also received in the channel 88 of the insulator54.

The conductors 110, 112 and 116 may be phase conductors or bus bars, theconductor 114 may be a ground conductor or bus bar, and the conductor118 may be a neutral conductor or bus bar. Such a configuration can beused for a three phase busway system, although other configurations arecontemplated including single phase and two phase busway systems.

The housing 18 and the insulators 52, 54 define a channel 120 in whichplug-in units can be received and engage the conductors 110, 112, 114,116, 118. The channel 120 is continuous along the length L1 of thehousing 18 (FIG. 3) such that the busway section 12 can be used with acontinuous plug-in busway system.

All of the conductors on one side of the busway section 12 are held in asingle one of the insulators 52, 54; this configuration can providecertain advantages. Part count and assembly time may be reduced.Conductor location may be more easily controlled and repeatable.Creepage and clearance distances may also be more accurately controlled.Current leakage may be reduced. Also, as noted above, the continuousinsulators may help provide the busway section with increased mechanicalstiffness and/or support.

An alternative design for the housing and insulators is illustrated inFIG. 20. The housing 18′ is the same as the housing 18 except asdescribed below, and the insulators 52′, 54′ are the same as theinsulators 52, 54 except as described below. It will be understood thatthe housing 18′ and the insulators 52′, 54′ may be used in place of thehousing 18 and the insulators 52, 54 for the busway section 12.

A track standoff 30 extends inwardly from each corner of the housing18′. That is, an upper track standoff 30 extends downwardly and inwardlyfrom each upper corner of the housing 18′ and a lower track standoff 30extends upwardly and inwardly from each lower corner of the housing 18′.The standoffs 30 extend the length L1 of the housing 18′ (FIG. 3).

The upper portion 56 of the insulators 52′, 54′ includes a modifiedupper housing alignment and/or engagement feature or ledge 62′. A groove64 is defined in the upper ledge 62′ and extends along the length of theupper ledge 62′. Similarly, the lower portion 60 of the insulators 52′,54′ includes a modified housing alignment and/or engagement feature orledge 96′. A groove 98 is defined in the lower ledge 96′ and extendsalong the length of the lower ledge 96′.

Like the insulators 52, 54, the insulators 52′, 54′ have a length thatis the same or about the same as the length L1 of the housing 18′. Thealignment and/or engagement features 62′, 96′ extend the entire lengthor substantially the entire length of the insulators 52′, 54′.

It can be seen that the housing 18′ and the insulators 52′, 54′ provideadditional and/or alternative features to align and guide the insulators52′, 54′ into the housing 18′ and to secure the insulators 52′, 54′ inthe housing 18′. The housing upper standoffs 30 are received in theinsulator upper grooves 64 and the housing lower standoffs 30 arereceived in the insulator lower grooves 98.

With the insulators 52′, 54′ received in the housing 18′, a respectiveupper housing engagement feature 62′ is adjacent and/or abuts arespective housing upper outer wall 36. The outer surface 57 of arespective insulator upper portion 56 is adjacent and/or abuts arespective housing inner wall 34.

Also, a respective lower housing engagement feature 96′ is adjacentand/or abuts a respective housing lower outer wall 38.

It will be appreciated that the housing 18′ and the insulators 52′, 54′may include several of the alignment and engagement features describedabove in reference to the housing 18 and the insulators 52, 54. Forexample, referring to FIG. 8, the housing lips 28 may be received in theinsulator lower inner grooves 104, the outer surface 76 of the insulatorcentral or middle portion 58 may be adjacent and/or abut the housinginner wall 34, the insulator lower surface 100 of the insulator lowerportion 60 may be adjacent and/or abut the housing lower ledge 26 and/orthe insulator upper surface 66 of the insulator upper portion 56 may beadjacent and/or abut the housing upper wall 21.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an insulator 54″ is shown received in thehousing 18. The insulator 54″ is the same as the insulator 54 with theexception of a larger channel 78′ to accommodate a larger or oversizedneutral conductor or bus bar 118′ for a 150% neutral rating, forexample. Other configurations, such as 200% neutral, are contemplated.Some known busway systems use multiple bus bars (e.g., a double barconfiguration) to achieve a higher neural rating.

The modified insulator 54″ to accommodate the enlarged neutral bus baris shaped and configured to be received in the housing 18 in the sameway as the insulator 54. That is, the same housing 18 can be used toaccommodate either the insulator 54 or the insulator 54″ depending onthe desired neutral rating.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the busway section 12 may include first andsecond finger safe lip seals 122, 124. As illustrated in FIG. 9, theseals 122, 124 are shaped and configured to be received along the lowerflanges 44 of the housing 18. The seals 122, 124 are formed of anelectrically insulative material and provide a safety feature to helpprevent or reduce the likelihood of contact with the housing 18 and/orthe conductors 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 during installation ormaintenance or when installing a plug-in device in the channel 120.

The seals 122, 124 may be used so that the busway system complies withsafety regulations such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) “FingerSafe Probe” standard. This test is to help prevent accidental humaninteraction with the powered duct which may result in serious injury ordeath. The test determines whether a finger is able to make contact witha live conductor or the metallic housing. Some known busway systems donot include such finger safe seals and instead rely on paint thicknessfor protection.

In contrast to paint, the finger safe seals 122, 124 will not easilychip, degrade and/or wear over time. The seals 122, 124 may be formed ofany suitable electrically insulative material. According to someembodiments, the seals 122, 124 are formed of a polycarbonate or athermoplastic polycarbonate. The seals 122, 124 may be formed of Lexan™available from SABIC.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, the joint assembly 16 (also referred to asa bridge joint assembly) includes first and second electricallyinsulative housings 130, 132. The housings 130, 132 may also be referredto as the joint insulators 130, 132. The joint assembly also includes aplurality of conductors or bus bars 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 that aresized and configured to be held in the housings 130, 132. Specifically,each of the housings 130, 132 includes channels 144, 146, 148, 150 and152 that are sized and configured to receive and hold the conductors134, 136, 138, 140 and 142, respectively.

The housings 130, 132 may be formed of any suitable electricallyinsulative material. According to some embodiments, the housings 130,132 are formed of a polycarbonate or a thermoplastic polycarbonate. Thehousings 130, 132 may be formed of Lexan™ available from SABIC (e.g.,Lexan 3412ECR). The conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 may be formedof any suitable electrically conductive material; an exemplary suitablematerial is copper.

The channels 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 are at least partially definedin elongated conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162,respectively. Adjacent to or integrated with the conductor holdingmembers 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 are insulator engagement features.The insulator engagement features are configured to engage and/or bereceived in portions of the insulators 52, 54 of the busway section 12(FIG. 9), as will be described in more detail below.

Slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 are at distal end portions of thechannels 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152, respectively, as well as at distalend portions of the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and162, respectively. As described in additional detail below, the slots174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 partially expose the conductors 134, 136,138, 140 and 142 that are received in the channels 144, 146, 148, 150and 152. The slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 are tapered as they extendin a direction away from a base 186 of the housing 130 and in adirection away from a base 188 of the housing 132. In this regard, theconductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 narrow as theyextend away from the base 186 of the housing 130 and as they extend awayfrom the base 188 of the housing 132.

More specifically, and referring to FIG. 13, the conductor holdingmember 154 includes an inner portion 154 i and an outer portion 154 o,the conductor holding member 156 includes an inner portion 156 i and anouter portion 156 o, the conductor holding member 158 includes an innerportion 158 i and an outer portion 158 o, the conductor holding member160 includes an inner portion 160 i and an outer portion 160 o, and theconductor holding member 162 includes an inner portion 162 i and anouter portion 162 o. The slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 are defined inthe conductor holding member outer portions 154 o, 156 o, 158 o, 160 oand 162 o. The insulative material of these outer portions taper alongwith the slots. Accordingly, the conductor holding member outer portions154 o, 156 o, 158 o, 160 o and 162 o may be referred to as taperedportions of the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162.

The housing 130 has first and second opposing sides 130A, 130B and thehousing 132 has first and second opposing sides 132A, 132B. The firstside 130A of the housing 130 is on one side of the base 186 and thesecond side 130B of the housing 130 is on the other side of the base186. Similarly, the first side 132A of the housing 132 is on one side ofthe base 188 and the second side 132B of the housing 132 is on the otherside of the base 188. The conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 arereceived in the channels 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 at the housing firstsides 130A, 132A. The conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 are held inthe conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 at the housingsecond sides 130B, 132B. A portion of each conductor 134, 136, 138, 140and 142 extends through and is exposed by the slots 174, 176, 178, 180and 182 at the housing second sides 130B, 132B.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142received in the housing 132. The housing 130 can be coupled to thehousing 132 by aligning and receiving the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140and 142 in the channels 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 of the housing 130.The housings 130, 132 may include additional alignment and/or engagementfeatures. For example, such features may be on the base 186 or on analignment face 190 of the housing 130 and/or on the base 188 or analignment face 192 of the housing 132. As illustrated, alignment plug orpost members 194 are on the alignment face 190 of the housing 130 andalignment plug receptacles 196 are on the alignment face 192 of thehousing 132, with the receptacles 196 sized and configured to receivethe plugs 194 as the housings 130, 132 are brought together. The plugs194 may be tapered such that they narrow as they extend away from theface 190. Alternatively, the receptacles 196 may be tapered such thatthey narrow toward the face 192.

The base 188 of the housing 132 includes a flange 200 extendingoutwardly from an outer periphery of the alignment face 192. The flange200 is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the base186 of the housing 130 as the housings 130, 132 are brought together.This may further facilitate proper alignment and coupling of thehousings 130, 132.

Referring again to FIGS. 11 and 12, the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140and 142 and at least a portion of the channels 144, 146, 148, 150 and152 and/or the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 aregenerally T-shaped (or have a generally T-shaped cross-section orprofile). This design may improve thermal performance by increasingsurface area (e.g., surface area of the conductor that is substantiallysurrounded by and/or in contact with the insulative material of thehousings 130, 132). The T-shaped design may also provide a repeatablecontact between the joint conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 and theconductors in the busway sections 12, 14 when the joint assembly 16 isconnected thereto. The T-shaped design of the conductors may alsoprovide increased mechanical rigidity of the joint assembly 16 (asopposed to flat conductors, for example).

The joint assembly 16 is shown in an assembled state in FIG. 14. Withreference to FIGS. 11-13, the joint assembly 16 may be mechanicallysecured by one or more securing features. For example, the conductors134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 may be received in the channels 144, 146,148, 150 and 152 of the housings 130, 132 with an interference fit. TheT-shaped conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 may increase mechanicalrigidity of the joint due to increased contact area with the channels144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 of the housings 130, 132. The plugs 194 onthe alignment face 190 of the housing 130 may be received in thereceptacles 196 on the alignment face 192 of the housing 132 (e.g., withinterference fit due to the tapered design of the plugs or thereceptacles). The base 186 of the housing 130 may be received in theflange 200 of the housing 132 with an interference fit.

The joint assembly 16 can be assembled without tools. The joint assembly16 may include only the conductors and insulator housings. The jointassembly 16 may be held together without additional connection features.That is, unlike known joints that require features such as adhesives,clamps, straps and/or fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws and the like), thejoint assembly 16 may be assembled and securely held together by one ormore interference fits, including those described above.

Referring to FIG. 11, the T-shaped conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142include first sections 134A, 136A, 138A, 140A and 142A and transversesecond sections 134B, 136B, 138B, 140B and 142B. The first sections134A, 136A, 138A, 140A and 142A may be relatively thicker in alongitudinal direction than the corresponding second sections 134B,136B, 138B, 140B and 142B. With the joint assembly 16 in its assembledstate, the conductor first sections 134A, 136A, 138A, 140A and 142A maybe completely or substantially completely enclosed in the housings 130,132 (e.g., completely or substantially completely enclosed in thechannels 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 of the housings 130, 132). Portionsof the conductor second sections 134B, 136B, 138B, 140B and 142B extendthrough and are exposed by the slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 of thehousings 130, 132.

Therefore, the relatively thick conductor first sections 134A, 136A,138A, 140A and 142A may be held in the conductor holding member innerportions 154 i, 156 i, 158 i, 1601 and 162 i (and may be enclosed orsubstantially enclosed by the conductor holding member inner portions154 i, 156 i, 158 i, 160 i and 162 i). The relatively thin conductorsecond sections 134B, 136B, 138B, 140B and 142B may be held in theconductor holding member outer portions 154 o, 156 o, 158 o, 160 o and162 o, with a portion of a respective conductor second section 134B,136B, 138B, 140B and 142B extending through and exposed by a respectiveslot 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182.

The joint assembly 16 serves to transfer current and voltage across twopieces of the busway system, such as the busway sections 12, 14. Thejoint covers 130, 132 substantially surround the conductors 134, 136,138, 140 and 142 to help mechanically stiffen the joint and to help meetelectrical creepage and clearance requirements as set forth by ULstandards, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards andNational Electric Code (NEC) standards, for example. Also, as describedin more detail below, the joint assembly 16 and the insulators 52, 54 ofthe busway sections 12, 14 have features and geometries that serve as analignment guide during the assembly process.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142extend through their respective slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 topartially expose the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142. As describedabove, the slots 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182 are tapered such that theconductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160 and 162 narrow as theyextend away from an interface 210 between the housings 130, 132 (e.g.,the mated housing bases 186, 188).

Each housing 130, 132 may include a plurality of insulator channelengagement features shown as outer block members 214, 216, 220 and 222.The block members 214, 216, 220 and 222 extend away from the base 186 ofthe housing 130 and extend away from the base 188 of the housing 132 inthe same direction as the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160and 162. The block members 214, 216, 220 and 222 are adjacent theconductor holding members 154, 156, 160 and 162, respectively. Morespecifically, the block members 214, 216, 220 and 222 are adjacent theconductor holding member outer portions 154 o, 156 o, 160 o and 162 o,respectively.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 11, the block members214, 216, 220 and 222 each include a wall 214 w, 216 w, 220 w and 222 wadjacent the conductor holding member outer portions 154 o, 156 o, 160 oand 162 o, respectively. When installed, the conductors 134, 136, 140and 142 may be adjacent and/or abut the walls 214 w, 216 w, 220 w and222 w, respectively.

The block members 214, 216, 220 and 222 are sized and configured to bereceived in the channels 68 and 78 of the busway section insulators 52,54 (FIG. 9), as will be described in more detail below.

The assembled joint assembly 16 and the assembled busway sections 12, 14are illustrated in FIG. 15. The joint assembly can be moved towardeither of the busway sections 12, 14 as shown by the arrow D1. FIG. 16illustrates the joint assembly 16 coupled to the busway section 12. Withreference to FIGS. 9, 14 and 19, the engagement of the joint assembly 16and the busway section 12 according to some embodiments will now bedescribed.

As the joint assembly 16 is brought in contact with the busway section12, the exposed portions of the conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 ofthe joint assembly 16 are received in the openings 74, 84 and 94 definedin the insulators 52, 54. The conductors 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 areelectrically connected with the conductors 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118,respectively, that are held by the insulators 52, 54.

A portion of each of the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160and 162 may also be received in the openings 74, 84 and 94 defined bythe insulators 52, 54 as the joint assembly 16 engages the buswaysection 12. Specifically, at least a portion of the outer or taperedportions 154 o, 156 o, 158 o, 160 o and 162 o (FIG. 13) may be receivedin the openings 74, 84, 94. As the conductors and the conductor holdingmember outer portions are received further in the openings (i.e., as thejoint interface 210 is brought closer to an end 240 (FIG. 15) of thebusway section 12), the conductor holding member outer portions 154 o,156 o, 158 o, 160 o and 162 o may increasingly engage the insulators 52,54 due to the taper of the outer portions described above. For example,referring to FIGS. 6, 9 and 13, the outer portion 154 o may increasinglyengage the projection 70 and/or the projection 72 of the insulator 52,the outer portion 156 o may increasingly engage the projection 80 and/orthe projection 82 of the insulator 52, the outer portion 158 o mayincreasingly engage the projection 90 and/or the projection 92 of theinsulator 52, the outer portion 160 o may increasingly engage theprojection 70 and/or the projection 72 of the insulator 54, and theouter portion 162 o may increasingly engage the projection 80 and/or theprojection 82 of the insulator 54.

Referring to FIG. 19, the conductors 110 and 116 are shown held in thechannel 68 of the insulator 52 and the channel 68 of the insulator 54,respectively. As illustrated, the conductors 110, 116 have a length thatis shorter than the length of the insulators 52, 54. Accordingly, openspaces or gaps 68 g are defined in end portions of the channels 68between ends 52 e, 54 e of the insulators 52, 54 (or ends 68 e of thechannels 68) and ends 110 e, 116 e of the conductors 110, 116. Theconductors 112, 114 and/or 118 may also be shorter in length than theinsulators 52, 54 and corresponding open spaces or gaps may be definedin end portions of the channels 78 and 88 of the insulators 52, 54.

As can be seen from FIG. 19, as the joint assembly 16 engages the buswaysection 12 (or the busway section 14), the joint assembly block member214 is slidingly received in the channel 68 of the insulator 52 and thejoint assembly block member 220 is slidingly received in the channel 68of the insulator 54. As the joint assembly 16 and busway section 12 arefurther brought together, the joint assembly block member 214 is furtherslidingly received in the channel 68 of the insulator 52 such that anend 214 e of the block member 214 is adjacent and/or abuts the end 110 eof the conductor 110. When the joint assembly 16 and busway section 12are fully engaged, the joint assembly block member 214 may fill orsubstantially fill the gap or open space 68 g in the channel 68 of theinsulator 52. Similarly, the joint assembly block member 220 isslidingly received in the channel 68 of the insulator 54 such that anend 220 e of the block member 220 is adjacent and/or abuts the end 116 eof the conductor 116. When the joint assembly 16 and busway section 12are fully engaged, the joint assembly block member 220 may fill orsubstantially fill the gap or open space 68 g in the channel 68 of theinsulator 54.

It will be appreciated that the joint assembly block members 216 and 222(FIG. 14) may be slidingly received and held in channels of theinsulators 52, 54 (FIG. 9) in a similar way. For example, the blockmember 216 may be sized and configured to be slidingly received in thechannel 78 of the insulator 52 such that, when the joint assembly 16 andbusway section 12 are fully engaged, an end of the block member 216 isadjacent and/or abuts an end of the conductor 112. Similarly, the blockmember 222 may be sized and configured to be slidingly received in thechannel 78 of the insulator 54 such that, when the joint assembly 16 andbusway section 12 are fully engaged, an end of the block member 222 isadjacent and/or abuts an end of the conductor 118.

Also, when the busway section 12 and the joint assembly 16 are coupled,the inner portions of the conductor holding members 154, 156, 158, 160and 162 may be adjacent and/or abut the insulators 52, 54. For example,the inner portion 154 i may be adjacent and/or abut the projection 70and/or the projection 72 of the insulator 52, the inner portion 156 imay be adjacent and/or abut the projection 80 and/or the projection 82of the insulator 52, the inner portion 158 i may be adjacent and/or abutthe projection 90 and/or the projection 92 of the insulator 52, theinner portion 160 i may be adjacent and/or abut the projection 70 and/orthe projection 72 of the insulator 54, and the inner portion 162 i maybe adjacent and/or abut the projection 80 and/or the projection 82 ofthe insulator 54.

It will be appreciated that various features and geometry of the housing18, the insulators 52, 54 and the joint assembly 16 may help facilitatealignment of the joint 16 and the busway section 12. These features mayalso help facilitate a tight mechanical connection between the jointassembly 16 and the busway section 12. These features may further helpprovide an improved electrical connection between the busway section 12and the joint 16 (as well as between busway sections that are connectedby the joint, such as the busway sections 12, 14 connected by the joint16).

A joint cover or joint cover assembly 250 is illustrated in FIGS. 15-17.The joint cover 250 includes a housing 252. The housing 252 includes abottom or lower wall 254, a pair of opposed sidewalls 256, and a pair ofopposed top or upper ledges 258, with one of the ledges 258 extendingfrom each sidewall 256. Each of the sidewalls 256 includes a pair ofapertures 260 (FIG. 1), through which a fastener 262 may be received andconnect to a rail 264. The rails 264 are shaped, sized and configured tofit and slide within the channels 32 of the housing side portions 22,24. The rails 264 may be generally T-shaped so that the rail 264 isretained in the channel 32 (while also being slidable in the channel).

Each of the fasteners has a distal end portion 266 that can be receivedin an aperture 270 in the housing channel 32. Referring to FIG. 17,joint cover 250 can be coupled to the busway section 12 by aligning therails 264 with the channels 32 and then receiving the rails 264 in thechannels 32. The upper ledges 258 of the joint cover 250 rest on the topwall 21 of the busway section housing 18. The position of the jointcover 250 can be adjusted by sliding the joint cover 250 in eitherdirection shown by the arrow D2. The fasteners 262 can be aligned withapertures 270 and then tightened to lock or secure the joint cover 250in place.

FIG. 18 illustrates the busway system 10 in an assembled state with thejoint cover 250 coupled to the first and second busway sections 12, 14that are electrically and mechanically connected by the joint assembly16. The joint 16 and the busway section 14 may be aligned and coupled inthe same way as described above in reference to the joint 16 and thebusway section 12. The position of the joint cover 250 can be adjustedby loosening the fasteners 262 and sliding the joint cover 250 in eitherdirection as shown by the arrow D2.

Therefore, the joint cover 250 does not require assembly and/ordisassembly during installation or maintenance procedures, for example.When the fasteners 262 are loosened, the cover 250 is slidable axiallydown the busway. This design is convenient and useful duringinstallation and maintenance procedures, and reduces the likelihood thatparts may be damaged or lost. Some known joint covers need to bedisassembled and removed prior to maintenance of the busway sectionsand/or the joint.

The joint cover 250 can provide additional advantages. The cover mayhelp further mechanically fasten two sections of the busway together.For example, when the fasteners are tightened, the cover 250 may applypressure to the housing 18 and/or the insulators 52, 54 of the buswaysections 12, 14 and/or the insulating housings 30, 32 of the jointassembly 16 for a more secure mechanical connection. This may alsoincrease contact pressure between the conductors in the busway sections12, 14 and/or the conductors in the joint assembly 16 for increasedelectrical efficiency. Moreover, the rails 264 may serve as groundblocks (e.g., T-shaped ground blocks) to create and maintain a housingground path. That is, when the joint cover 250 is installed foroperation, the ground block or rails 264 may form a housing ground pathbetween adjacent busway sections 12, 14.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A busway section comprising: a housinghaving a length, the housing comprising first and second opposing sideportions; a first insulator configured to be slidingly received in thefirst side portion of the housing, the first insulator having a lengththat is substantially the same as the length of the housing, the firstinsulator comprising a plurality of spaced apart channels extendinglengthwise in the first insulator, each channel configured to receive abus bar conductor; a second insulator configured to be slidinglyreceived in the second side portion of the housing, the second insulatorhaving a length that is substantially the same as the length of thehousing, the second insulator comprising a plurality of spaced apartchannels extending lengthwise in the insulator, each channel configuredto receive a bus bar conductor; and wherein the housing furthercomprises a plurality of insulator alignment and engagement featuresconfigured to align and guide the first and second insulators as theyare slidingly received in the housing and to hold the first and secondinsulators in place after they are slidingly received in the housing. 2.The busway section of claim 1 wherein the insulator alignment andengagement features comprise: a first inner wall member extendinginwardly at the first side portion of the housing, the first inner wallmember positioned to be adjacent to and/or abut a central portion of thefirst insulator; and a second inner wall member extending inwardly atthe second side portion of the housing, the second inner wall memberpositioned to be adjacent to and/or abut a central portion of the secondinsulator.
 3. The busway section of claim 2 wherein the insulatoralignment and engagement features comprise: a first upper leg memberextending upwardly from the first inner wall member, the first upper legmember configured to be received in a groove in an upper portion of thefirst insulator; and a second upper leg member extending upwardly fromthe second inner wall member, the second upper leg member configured tobe received in a groove in an upper portion of the second insulator. 4.The busway section of claim 2 wherein the insulator alignment andengagement features comprise: a first lower leg member extendingdownwardly from the first inner wall member, the first lower leg memberconfigured to be received in a groove in a lower portion of the firstinsulator; and a second lower leg member extending downwardly from thesecond inner wall member, the second lower leg member configured to bereceived in a groove in a lower portion of the second insulator.
 5. Thebusway section of claim 2 wherein the insulator alignment and engagementfeatures comprise: a first upper wall portion above and offset from thefirst inner wall member, wherein an upper ledge of the first insulatoris received above the first inner wall member and adjacent the firstupper wall portion; and a second upper wall portion above and offsetfrom the second inner wall member, wherein an upper ledge of the secondinsulator is received above the second inner wall member and adjacentthe second upper wall portion.
 6. The busway section of claim 2 whereinthe insulator alignment and engagement features comprise: a first lowerwall portion below and offset from the first inner wall member, whereina lower ledge of the first insulator is received below the first innerwall member and adjacent the first lower wall portion; and a secondlower wall portion below and offset from the second inner wall member,wherein a lower ledge of the second insulator is received below thesecond inner wall member and adjacent the second lower wall portion. 7.The busway section of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second sideportions of the housing comprises a joint cover engagement featureconfigured to slidably engage a joint cover.
 8. The busway section ofclaim 7 wherein the joint cover engagement feature comprises: a firstchannel at the first side portion of the housing; and a second channelat the second side portion of the housing; wherein the first and secondchannels are configured to slidingly receive a joint cover.
 9. Thebusway section of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises: a firstlower ledge extending inwardly from a lower portion of the first sideportion of the housing; and a second lower ledge extending inwardly froma lower portion of the second side portion of the housing.
 10. Thebusway section of claim 9 wherein: a lower surface of the firstinsulator is adjacent and/or abuts the first lower ledge; and a lowersurface of the second insulator is adjacent and/or abuts the secondlower ledge.
 11. The busway section of claim 9 wherein the housingfurther comprises: a first lower flange extending downwardly from thefirst lower ledge; and a second lower flange extending downwardly fromthe second lower ledge.
 12. The busway section of claim 11 furthercomprising first and second lip seal members formed of an electricallyinsulative material, wherein the first lip seal member is configured tobe received around the first lower flange and the second lip seal memberis configured to be received around the second lower flange.
 13. Thebusway section of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an upper wall,and wherein: an upper surface of the first insulator is adjacent and/orabuts the upper wall; and an upper surface of the second insulator isadjacent and/or abuts the upper wall.
 14. A busway section comprising: ahousing having a length, the housing comprising first and secondopposing side portions; a first insulator in the first side portion ofthe housing, the first insulator having a length that is substantiallythe same as the length of the housing; a plurality of first bus barconductors held in spaced apart channels defined in the first insulator;a second insulator in the second side portion of the housing, the secondinsulator having a length that is substantially the same as the lengthof the housing; and a plurality of second bus bar conductors held inspaced apart channels defined in the second insulator; wherein arespective bus bar conductor has a length that is shorter than a lengthof the channel in which the bus bar conductor is held such that a gap isdefined in the channel between an end of the bus bar conductor and anend of the channel.
 15. The busway section of claim 14 wherein anopening extends along each channel of the first and second insulators.16. The busway section of claim 15 wherein the housing and the first andsecond insulators define a channel in which a plug-in unit can bereceived and engage the first and second bus bar conductors.
 17. Abusway section comprising: a housing having a length, the housingcomprising first and second opposing side portions; a first insulatorconfigured to be slidingly received in the first side portion of thehousing, the first insulator having a length that is substantially thesame as the length of the housing, the first insulator comprising aplurality of spaced apart channels extending lengthwise in the firstinsulator, each channel configured to receive a bus bar conductor; asecond insulator configured to be slidingly received in the second sideportion of the housing, the second insulator having a length that issubstantially the same as the length of the housing, the secondinsulator comprising a plurality of spaced apart channels extendinglengthwise in the insulator, each channel configured to receive a busbar conductor; and wherein the housing further comprises: a first innerwall member extending inwardly at the first side portion of the housing,the first inner wall member positioned to be adjacent to and/or abut acentral portion of the first insulator; and a second inner wall memberextending inwardly at the second side portion of the housing, the secondinner wall member positioned to be adjacent to and/or abut a centralportion of the second insulator.
 18. The busway section of claim 17wherein: a first upper leg member extends upwardly from the first innerwall member, the first upper leg member positioned to be received in agroove in an upper portion of the first insulator; and a second upperleg member extends upwardly from the second inner wall member, thesecond upper leg member positioned to be received in a groove in anupper portion of the second insulator.
 19. The busway section of claim17 wherein: a first lower leg member extends downwardly from the firstinner wall member, the first lower leg member positioned to be receivedin a groove in a lower portion of the first insulator; and a secondlower leg member extends downwardly from the second inner wall member,the second lower leg member positioned to be received in a groove in alower portion of the second insulator.